The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister, on Tuesday chaired the Cabinet's virtual session. At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the content of the phone call with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of the Sultanate of Oman, and the contents of the written message he received from Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait. The Cabinet touched on the meeting held by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, with Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait. In this regard, the Cabinet highlighted the historical relations between the two countries, which both the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah were keen to consolidate, deepen aspects of joint cooperation to benefit the two friendly peoples, and support the march of the joint work in a way that reflects positively on the role of the two countries in the GCC work system and achieve the good and well-being of its people. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi stated the Cabinet reviewed the discussions and consultations to expand the horizons of cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a number of brotherly and friendly countries in various fields, including the outcomes of the workings of the Joint Saudi-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation. The two parties agreed on the second phase of the road map to implement the high-level Saudi-Russian strategic cooperation framework. Sixty areas of cooperation between the two countries, and fifty-one opportunities and projects were placed on the road map during the next two years. The Cabinet followed the latest developments of the current political issues regionally and globally, and the efforts aimed at preserving the security, stability. The Cabinet was briefed on the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic regionally and internationally, the latest statistics and indicators about the virus, and the recorded infection curves, in light of the continuous efforts to preserve the health and safety of citizens and residents. The Cabinet reviewed a number of topics on its agenda, including some co-studied by the Shura Council. The Cabinet was also briefed on the results reached by each of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, the Council of Political and Security Affairs, the General Committee of the Cabinet, and the Cabinet's Bureau of Experts The Cabinet issued the following decisions: First: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Energy - or his representative - to discuss and sign a draft of memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of energy between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Chile. Second: The Cabinet approved two general agreements for cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Ivory Coast and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Third: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Tourism - or his representative - to discuss and sign a draft of memorandum of understanding in the field of Tourism between the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of the Kingdom of Spain. Fourth: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority - or his representative - to discuss and sign a draft of memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of customs between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Fifth: The Cabinet approved the establishment of an authority named Research, Development Innovation Authority. Sixth: The Cabinet approved the organizational structure and guide for the General Secretariat of the Higher Umrah Committee. Seventh: The Cabinet approved the rules and arrangements on how to treat employees in the sectors of transformation and privatization. Eighth: The Cabinet approved the organization of the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector. Ninth: The Cabinet appointed Rashid bin Mohammed Al-Jalajil as a member of the Board of Directors of the Social Development Bank, representing the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Tenth: The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority to issue any of the decisions related to the national, Arab, and Gulf rules of origin of the goods. The Cabinet also authorized the Minister of Trade, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Foreign Trade, to issue any of the decisions related to the policies of protection of the national industry that is governed by the relevant international agreements, outside the competencies and powers of government agencies. Eleventh: The cabinet approved the amendment of Article (4) of the organization of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, issued by Cabinet Resolution No. (496) dated 9/14/1439 AH regarding the formation of the Authority's Board of Directors, as stated in the decision. Twelfth: The Cabinet approved a number of promotions at the 14 and 15 ranks and a post of Minister Plenipotentiary. The Cabinet was briefed on a number of issues on its agenda and took relevant recommendations.
